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Published On: Wed, Mar 26th, 2014

International adoption numbers drop to 20 year low, Russian ban blamed

Rates of international adoptions by Americans have decreased dramatically in recent years, but according to the Associated Press, the new numbers are the lowest in 20 years.

Americans adopted 7,094 children from other countries in the 2013 fiscal year, the lowest number of international adoptions since 1992.

The year 2004 held a record of 22,884 adoptions, almost two-thirds higher than current rates.

Executive director of programs at American World Adoption Ryan Hanlon told the Christian Post that part of the issue is Russia’s ban on international adoption. But there are other factors contributing to the problem as well.  

“There’s been a decrease since 2004, and it’s been systematic and it’s been going down very sharply,” said Hanlon. “I do think a big part of that is the failed role of the Department of State to work in cooperation with other nations.”

Hanlon explained that while an important issue, the State Department has focused too much on the prevention of fraudulent adoptions. “They have neglected to encourage and support potential adoptive families and adoptees,” he said.

It is a concern that the international rates will remain low in 2014 if no changes are made. “We’re already halfway into the next year and I think things are only going to look worse when we see the 2014 numbers,” Hanlon said.

China accounted for the most children adopted in the U.S, with 2,306.

Ethiopia was second at 993, down from 1,568 in 2012. Ethiopian authorities have been trying to place more abandoned children with relatives or foster families.

Russia, which had been No. 3 on the list in 2012, with 748 children adopted by Americans, dropped to 7th for 2013, with 250 children.

 

children in South Sudan

children in South Sudan

 

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  1. International adoption numbers drop to 20 year low - My Christian Daily says:

    […] Read more… […]

  2. Peter Dodds says:

    I was adopted to the U.S. from a German orphanage. In this TV interview I discuss international adoption from a unique perspective, the foreign-child adopted into America, and harm caused when removing children from their native countries and cultures.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1kEbQ-5p5g

    International adoption is a cruel system filled with documented and on-going patterns of adoption agency corruption, re-homing, baby stealing, child trafficking, coercion of the biological parents and legal violations. The corruption and abuse are so widespread and pervasive that nearly half the 40 countries listed by the U.S. State Department as the top sources for international adoption from 1995-2008 temporarily halted adoptions or were prevented from sending children to the United States.

  3. A.J. Bryant says:

    As an international adoptee myself, I am not unhappy to see these numbers. If the smaller amount of adoptions means increased scrutiny on the entire process, than it’s a decrease I welcome. Time will tell.

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